Draft rigging



Feb. 25, 1936.

D. s. BARROWS DRAFT RIGGING Filed July 13, 1929 ave? J: Ewe/Paws Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATT DRAFT RIGGING Application July 13, 1929, Serial No. 378,094

18 Claims.

This invention relates to cushioning mechanism. and. its arrangement with railway draft rigging, so that greater travel of the coupler is permitted under buff than under draft, the

greater coupler movement under buff being resisted by a greater shock absorbing capacity of the mechanism than is interposed to movement under draft.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide a preferably double ended cushioning mechanism, the parts of which are adapted to operate in series in association with the sills of railway rolling stock so that the mechanism will function to provide greater energy absorbing capacity under buff, due to greater travel, than under draft, at the same time maintaining the ultimate force which is transmitted through the gear to the car body substantially the same as that of one end of the gear.

Another object of my invention is the provision of draft rigging associated with a cushioning mechanism involving a housing formed with walls, friction portions, a spring abutment, and adapted to receive means for connecting it to associated sills, side wedges engaging said friction portions and provided with releasing means and a central wedge for forcing said side wedges against said friction portions, said mechanism being embraced by a yoke and limited in rearward movement by a back-stop, said yoke being connected to an associated coupler.

A further object of my invention is the provision of double ended cushioning mechanism comprising a housing receiving side and central wedges in both ends thereof, said housing enclosing release springs engaging central abutment portions and formed to receive a draft key for connecting said housing to associated sills, means being provided for holding the center wedges in assembled relation with respect to the housing, whereby the parts are prevented from separating even when detached from associated draft rigging. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims.

Figure l is a partial side elevational View and partial vertical longitudinal sectional view of one form of my cushioning mechanism shown assem- 55 bled with associated draft rigging, portions of the associated cheek plates and backstop being diagrammatically illustrated.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan of the mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3--3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, there is shown one embodiment of my double ended, series, friction draft gear i, said gear preferably comprising a housing 2 formed with side walls 3 connected adjacent the ends by top wall portions 4, bottom wall portions 5, and, in the present embodiment, adjacent the center by spring abutment portions 6. The top and bottom wall portions are desirably apertured adjacent the spring abutment portions ES, thereby permitting lateral movement of associated springs to position. Said spring abutment portions 6 are preferably enlarged intermediate the top and bottom thereof and formed with a slot '1 adapted to receive a horizontal draft key 8, or other means, extending through the housing and adapted for reception in corresponding slots 9 in associated cheek plates iii and/or sills II of the associated car. The slot 1 is, of course, formed in the side walls of the housing, the spring abutment portions, if used, acting as a connecting web or brace portion. The slots l in the housing 2 preferably snugly receive the key 8 but the slots 9 in the cheek plates H] are elongated rearwardly from the normal portion of the key 3 to permit rearward movement of said key and associated housing 2 while preventing forward movement thereof. The slot 9 may be of such length that after the gear is compressed solid, the key 8 will contact with the rear end thereof, so that the reception of overload buffing forces is divided between said key and the associated backstop, or the slot may be of such length that the key will not contact when the gear is solid so that overload buffing forces are taken directly through the gear to the associated backstop.

The housing 2 is preferably formed with friction portions I2 which may be separately formed plates, as shown most clearly in Figure 1, interlocked with the wall portions 4 and 5 respectively at each end of the housing 2. The adjacent surfaces of said plates provide friction surfaces 60 I3 normally engaged by corresponding surfaces M on shoes or wedges I 5 at each end of the housing 2. As shown most clearly in Figure 3, the plates or friction shoes l2 and the associated side wedges I5 have angularly disposed friction Q5 surfaces, or friction surfaces formed in two planes at an angle to one another, whereby the alinement between the parts is maintained without the necessity for any auxiliary means. From a consideration of Figure 1, it will be seen that the friction surfaces I3 slope slightly toward one another or converge from the ends of the gear so I3 and I4, preferably involve angularly disposed I portions, as shown most clearly in Figure3. In order to maintain the parts of the gear or cushioning mechanism I assembled, even when not associated with the enclosing draft rigging, the center wedges I6 are preferably each formed with an axial aperture I9 receiving a bolt 20, the head of which normally engages the inner wall 2| of the central wedge I6, and the other end of which is preferably threaded into the corresponding end of the slotted spring abutment portion 6. It will thus be seen that the bolts 20 permit movement of the center wedges toward one another while limiting movement thereof away from one another.

In order to effect release of the mechanism, resilient means 2I are preferably provided above and below the slotted portion of the intermediate spring abutment 6, each of said means preferably comprising outer and inner helical spring units 22 and 23 forming, in effect, twin spring releasing mechanism. The outer ends of said springs on either side of the spring abutment portions 6 are normally engaged by a spring follower 24, normally spaced from the friction portions I2,

. and formed with a collar or flanges 25, the outer edges of which engage the inner ends of the side wedges I5, as shown most clearly in Figure 1.

I Additional or auxiliary spring means 26 are desirably provided in the housing or casing 2 and disposed between intermediate portions 21 of the side wedges I5, or the shoulders formed at the termination of the friction surfaces I8 on said wedges, and the corresponding end of the slotted portion of the spring abutment 6, therfollower 24 being correspondingly apertured to receive said spring means, and the portion of the spring abutment engaged thereby, upon compression of the mechanism. Preferably disposed between the outerends of said springs 26 and shoulders 21 on the side wedges I5 are spring caps 28. In all other instances the. springs 23 and 26 are maintained in proper position by fitting over corresponding spring lugs 29 on the spring abutment 6, 30 on the follower 24 and 3| on the slotted portion of the spring abutment 6, the bolts 23 passing through the springs 26 and the spring apertures in the followers 24 and threaded to the casing '2 adjacent the inner ends of the central springs 26. .The outer springs 22, as will be understood, are maintained in proper position by snugly fitting around the inner springs 23.

One way of utilizing the cushioning mechanismlheretofore described is to connect it to an associated drawbar or coupler 32, which in the a present embodiment, is illustrated as being a swivel butt coupler, although I do not Wish to be limited to this showing, or to provide a hori-- zontal yoke 33 surrounding the mechanism I and associated front and rear followers 34 and 35 respectively with the looped or rear end 36 of said yoke disposed between the rear follower 35 and an associated backstop 31, or other means:

be understood that the yoke 33 is slotted, as-

indicated at 39, for receiving the key 8i which connects the mechanism to the cheek lates I0 and/or sills II of the car. The cheek plates I0 may be extended forwardly and correspondingly slotted to receive the ends of the key 38.

Under the action of draft forces, the follower housing 2 is held stationary by the key 8 and the coupler 32 pulls the yoke 33 forwardly by means of connecting key 38 moving the rear follower 35 and pushing the rear wedges I6 and I5 into the housing, generating friction and compressing the springs 22, 23 and 26, thereby ac tuating only the rear cushioning mechanism or rear half of the double ended gear I, utilizing only one half of the total capacity of said gear, which at the same time permits only one half of the movement permitted upon the full compression of the gear.

Under the action of buffing forces, however, the butt of the coupler 32 engages the front follower 34 pushing it and the associated wedges I6 and I5 into the housing 2 and compressing the associated springs while at the same time moving the housing and connecting key 8 rearwardly to effect inward movement of the rear wedges I6 and I5 and corresponding compression of the rear springs 22, 23, and 26, so that,

a full compression of the gear is permitted. On account of this action under buff not only is an increased energy absorbing capacity provided, but a coupler travel is permitted equal to the sum of the movement permitted by the friction elements at each end of the gear. Although for convenience and economy of manufacture the gear is desirably made symmetrical so that the travel and capacity provided by each end is substantially identical, yet this is not necessary in accordance with the broad aspect of my invention, so that the capacity and travel of the two ends of the gear may be equal or different as desired.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be apparent that I have devised a form of cushioning mechanism which is double ended with the parts in each end adapted to be actuated in series preferably under the action of bufling forces while the parts at one end only are preferably actuated under the action of draft forces. Although I have shown a double ended gear with the main housing slotted for receiving a key for connection with associated cheek plates and/or sills of a car, it will be understood that, if desired, a similar construction may be employed with a single ended gear, as such a device is admirably suited for connecting the main housing to the car underframe whether said housing is single or double. By employing a key and slotted cheek plates as stop means a substantially unrestricted or freely open draft gear pocket is provided.

I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the form shown as modifications may be made therein within the 'spirit and scope of the appended claims without departing from my invention. I I

Having now described'my invention l' claim: 1. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing with side walls, open at its ends, and provided with friction surfaces adjacent each end, a

pair of opposite side walls being formed with slots intermediate the ends for receiving a connecting draft key, web means connecting said sidewalls and formed with longitudinally offset surfaces providing spring abutments, some of said spring abutments lying on opposite sides of the'slots and others being extended toward the ends of said housing from saidside'abutm'ents andgenerally alined 'with said slots, friction elements normally engaging the friction surfaces, followers normally engaging said friction elements, springs acting between said followers and theabutments which lie on'opposite sides of said slots, auxiliary springs, disposed between said first-mentioned springs, and engaging the 'abutm'e'nts whichare alined'with said slots, a Wedge member'dispose'd between and engaging the friction elements at each end of the housing, and means extending longitudinally through each wedge member, the "associated follower, alined generally with the auxiliary springs, and normally lying in the'plane 'o'f said'slots, for holding the parts in assembled relation.

2. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing with a pair "of side walls connected by a transversely extending'partition disposed intermediate the ends thereof, a longitudinal partition connecting said pair of side walls and merging with said transverse partition, theends' of said housing being open, frictionelements-ineach end of said housing, spring means for resistingrnove ment of said elements, said friction elements comprising a central wedge member and wedge means engaging opposite sides thereof, said spring means comprising release springs acting on saidcentral wedge member and engaging the end-of said longitudinalpartition, and means forholding the parts of the mechanism assembled with the housing.

3. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing with oppositely disposed pairs of side walls, a

transversely extending wall connecting one "pair of side walls, a partition extending'lon'gitudin'ally from said transversely extending wall between said pair of side walls, an end of'said housing being open, friction elements received'in said housing, spring means for resisting movement of said elements, said friction elements comprising a central wedge member and wedge means engaged thereby, said spring means comprising a release spring engaging said wedge means and an end of said partition, andmeans for holding the parts of the mechanism assembled with th'e housing.

4. Cushioning mechanism comprising "a'ho'using with walls connected by a transversely extending partition disposed intermediate the ends thereof, one pair of side walls connected 'by'a partition disposed generally parallel to the other side walls, the ends of said housing being open, friction elements in each end of the housing, spring means for resisting movement of said elements, said friction elements comprising a central wedge member and said spring means coinprising release springs acting on said central wedge member and engaging the ends of the last-named partition, and means for holding the parts of the mechanism assembled "with the housing.

5. Cushioning mechanism comprisln'g 'a housing with oppositely disposed pairs of sidewalls connected by a transversely extending wall, one pair of said side walls being connected by "a partition extending generally parallel to the other pair of sidewalls, an end of said housing being open, friction elements received in said housing, spring means for resisting movement of said elements, said friction elements-comprising a central wedge member and said spring means comprising a release spring engaging an end-of said partition and acting on said central'wed'ge member, and means for holding the parts of the mechanism assembled with the housing.

6. Cushioning mechanism comprising'housin'g means with oppositely disposed pairs of sidewall portions, parts of which are connected by*""a transversely extending wall, one pair of saidside wall portions being integrally connected bymeans extending generally parallel to the other pair of side wall portions, an end of said housing means being open, friction elements received in said housing means, spring means for resisting movement of said elements, said friction elements comprising a central wedge member and side I wedges, said spring means comprising a release spring engaging an end of said generally parallel connecting means and acting on said side'wedges,

and means for holding the parts of the mechanism assembled with the housing means.

'7. Cushioning mechanism comprising housing means with oppositely disposed pairs of sidewall portions, one pair of said side wall portions "being connected by partition means extending generally parallel to the other pair of side wall portions,

an end of said housing means being open, friction elements received in said housing means, spring means for resisting movement of said elements, said friction elements comprising a central wedge member and side wedges, said spring means comprising a release spring engaging a portion of said partition means and acting on said side wedges, and means for holding the parts of the mechanism assembled with the housing.

3. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing with oppositely disposed pairs of side Walls connected by transversely extending partition means disposed intermediate the ends thereof, one pair of said side walls being connected by an integ'rai spring abutment portion disposed longitudinally from said partition means and extending approximately midway between the other pair of side walls, an end of said housing being open, friction elements received in said housing, spring means for resisting movement of said elements, said friction elements comprising a central wedge member and side wedges, and said spring means comprising a release spring engaging said longitudinally disposed spring abutment portion and acting on said side wedges, and a longitudinally extending bolt intersecting said central wedge member for holding the latter and the associated parts assembled with the housing.

9. Cushioning mechanism comprising housing of said partition means and acting on said side Wedges.

10. In railway draft rigging, in combination with sills providing a freely open draft gear pocket, double ended cushioning mechanism received therein and comprising a housing formed with walls, friction portions, and a spring abut,-

"ment portion, a stop member passing through a slot in said abutment portion for holding said at each end of the housing, spring followers enggaging said wedges, springs disposed between said abutment portion and followers for effecting release of the mechanism, spring means disposed between said springs and cooperating with the longitudinally extended part of said abutment portion adjacent the ends of said slot and intermediate portions of the wedges, a center wedge disposed between said wedges, a yoke surround ing said mechanism, a backstop adapted to engage the'rear end of said yoke for limiting rearward movement of the mechanism, a coupler adapted to transmit buffing forces to the mechanism and a key forconnecting said coupler and yoke.

11. In railway draft rigging, in combination with slotted draft sills, a friction member comprising a housing formed with walls, friction portions, provided with a slotfor receiving a connecting draft key, and spring abutment portions therebetween, the central part of said spring abutment portions being longitudinally extended to accommodate said slot, a draft key extending through said slot and sills for limiting movement of the housing in one direction, so that the mechanism to one side only of the spring abutment portions will be stressed upon movement of the coupler in that direction, side wedges engaging said friction portions, spring followers engaging the inner ends of said wedges, springs overlapping the extended slotted portion of said spring abutment portion and disposed between abutment portions and followers for effecting release of the mechanism, spring means extending through said followers and disposed between said extended portions of said abutments beyond the ends of said slot and intermediate portions of the wedges, a center wedge disposed between said side wedges at each end of the housing, means extending through said center wedges and followers for holding the parts assembled with respect to the housing, means limiting rearward movement of the mechanism, a coupler adapted to transmit force to the forward end of said mechanism, a yoke surrounding said mechanism with the rear end portion disposed between it and said rearward limiting means, and means connecting said coupler and yoke.

12. In railway draft rigging, in combination with sills, cushioning mechanism disposed between said sills and comprising a main housing portion formed with friction portions at each end and spring abutment portions formed with a slot for receiving a connecting draft key and a central part longitudinally extended to accommodate said slot, a draft key extending through said slot and sills for limiting movement of the housing, side wedges engaging said friction portions, spring followers engaging said wedges at each end of the housing, twin release spring means overlapping tween said central part of said abutment portions and intermediate portions of the wedges at each end of the mechanism, a central wedge disposed between said side wedges at each end of the mechanism, a follower engaging each end of said mechanism, a yoke surrounding said mechanism and followers, a backstop for limiting rearward'movement of said yoke and associated mechanism, a coupler abutting the foremost of said followers, and means for connecting said coupler and yoke.

13. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing formed with walls, friction portions, spring abutment portions including a middle portion extended longitudinally beyond lateral portions and formed with a slot for receiving a connecting member, wedges engaging said friction portions, a spring follower engaging said wedges, laterally spaced twin springs disposed on either side ofsaid slot and extending from said abutment to said follower for effecting release of the mechanism, spring means disposed between said twin springs and extending from said middle portion to act on said wedges, and a center wedge disposed between and frictionally engaging said first mentioned wedges.

14; A double ended draft gear comprising a main housing memberformed with walls,*fric- .tion portions and a centrally disposed portion formed with a slot for receiving a horizontal stop member and provided with longitudinally offsetspring abutmentsthe outermost of which lie adjacent opposite ends of said slot, friction shoes engaging said friction portions at each end .of the housing, resilient means disposed between said frictionshoes and, outermost offset spring abutments for effecting release of the mechanism, and a wedge disposed between saidfric- ,tion shoes for urging them apart and into en gagement with the friction surfaces.

15, Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing, friction portions, and spring abutment portions adjacent the center of said housing, said housing having a slot for receiving a connecting draft key, the central part of said spring abutment portion being longitudinally extended to accommodate said slot, the unslotted sides of said housing adjacent said abutment portions being apertured, shoes engaging said friction portions, laterally spaced resilient means disposed between said shoes and spring abutment portions, overlapping said central part, and insertable through said apertured sides, central resilient means disposed between said spaced resilient means and engaging said central part of the spring abutment portions beyond the ends of said slot and intermediate portions of said shoes, a wedge disposed between said shoes for urging them apart and into engagement with said friction portions, and means for holding said wedge in assembled relation with respect to the housing.

16. Cushioning mechanism comprising a main housing formed with friction portions'adjacent each end thereof, central and end spring abutments, a slot for receiving a connecting draft key, said end spring abutments being formed on portions of the housing longitudinally extended beyond the central abutments to accommodate the slot, side wedges engaging said friction portions, spring followers engaging said wedges at each end of the housing, laterally spaced twin release springs disposed between the central abutments and followers at each end of the mechanism, spring means disposed between said twin springs and extending from said end abutments, positioned beyond the ends of said slot, and acting on intermediate portions of the side wedges at each end of the mechanism, and a central wedge disposed between said side wedges at each end of the mechanism for urging said side wedges into engagement with the friction portions.

17. In railway draft rigging, in combination with draft sills, cushioning mechanism disposed between said sills and comprising a housing formed with top, bottom and side walls and open at both ends, opposite walls being provided with friction surfaces at each end of the housing, a stop member passing through slots in the walls of said housing and said sills for holding said housing against forward movement while permitting limited rearward movement thereof, side friction elements engaging said friction surfaces at each end of the housing, spring followers engaging said elements, springs disposed between said followers on opposite sides of, and overlapping, said stop member for effecting release of the mechanism, auxiliary springs disposed between said release springs, longitudinally beyond, and normally alined with said stop member, a center friction element disposed between said side friction elements at each end of the housing, a yoke surrounding said mechanism, means for limiting rearward movement of said yoke and associated mechanism, an associated drawbar, and means connecting said drawbar and yoke.

18. Cushioning mechanism comprising housing means with oppositely disposed pairs of side wall portions, one pair of said wall portions being connected by partition means extending generally parallel to the other pair of wall portions, an end of said housing means being open, friction elements received in said housing means, spring means for resisting movement of said elements, said friction elements comprising a central wedge member and side Wedges, said spring means comprising a release spring engaging a portion of said partition means and acting on said side wedges, and means threadably connected to said partition means for holding the parts of themechanism assembled with the housing means.

DONALD s. BARRoWs. 

